Blemmel plays on all Native Lacrosse team

Cohen Blemmel started playing on the Tvshka Waya youth Stickball team at the age of six. He was heartbroken to move away from his teammates, coaches and people eight years later when he relocated to Oregon. He started playing on his high school lacrosse team in an attempt to find the community he had longed for since his move.

Meanwhile, JD Elquist, a Native lacrosse coach, had an idea to form an all-Native boys Lacrosse team to bring awareness and representation to an Indigenous sport. Cohen found his way to PNW Native LAX, and in June, they entered their first tournament after only meeting each other the day before the tournament started.

The Northwest Summer Open witnessed a historic event this past weekend as the PNW Native Lacrosse Team, composed entirely of Native American boys 17 and under, made an incredible run to the championship game. Representing 24 different tribes, these young athletes met for the first time on Friday and, against all odds, advanced to the championship game on Sunday.

The team’s journey was nothing short of remarkable. In a sport deeply rooted in Native American culture, the PNW Native Lacrosse Team showcased exceptional talent, teamwork, and resilience. Despite their limited time together, they managed to navigate through the tournament, defeating several seasoned teams along the way.

Their dream run culminated in a fiercely contested championship game against Lilac City. While they ultimately fell short, the team’s achievement in reaching the final is a testament to their skill and determination. Coaches, parents, and spectators were in awe of how quickly the boys gelled and performed as a cohesive unit.

The Northwest Summer Open was a celebration of lacrosse, but it also became a celebration of Native American pride and unity. The PNW Native Lacrosse team not only competed at a high level but also brought visibility to the rich tradition and ongoing contributions of Native American communities to the sport.